NBA notes.

Bulls-hornets First-round Battle Likely

Michael Jordan's return to the Bulls changes a lot, but mostly it makes the biggest race in the NBA for the last month the race for first in the Central Division.

That's because, assuming the Knicks stay where they are behind Orlando and the Cavaliers keep slipping-and with two more games against the Bulls that seems certain-the loser of the Central Division race between Indiana and Charlotte will get Jordan and the Bulls in the first round of the playoffs.

And if Phil Jackson's NBA-NBC conspiracy theory has any merit, Michael Jordan isn't going to be around for just one playoff series.

Not with Shaquille O'Neal and the Orlando Magic as the probable second-round opponent.

"They're going to be awfully tough to catch," admits Hornets coach Allan Bristow of the Pacers. "They've got the Davises back, they're healthy and have a good schedule."

But Bristow says his team is hardly concerned about the Bulls.

"We want to win the division for the sake of winning the division," says Bristow. "Not to avoid Chicago. It's not like we're going to run and hide from him. Let Chicago win the rest of their games. I hope they do. But to ask questions if it's going to affect what we do is ridiculous. It's blowing the whole thing out of proportion. Who we match up with in the playoffs isn't as important as home court advantage. That's the priority for us."

We'll see what Bristow is saying April 22, the penultimate game of the season, when the Hornets are in Chicago.

Perhaps for a playoff preview?

Jordan back in Carolina to open the playoffs?

Nobody's perfect: Jordan, of course, did a little bashing of today's young players after his return game last Sunday, the most identifiable culprits being the Dream Team II group that included Hornets Larry Johnson and Alonzo Mourning.

And they weren't shy about pointing out how Jordan blew off his teammates and the president to gamble with convicted felons a few years back.

"Michael Jordan's not perfect," said Johnson. "Just because Mike thinks people ought to be a certain way or act a certain way doesn't mean everyone else is going to do it. I don't know about the other young guys, but Larry Johnson's going to be Larry Johnson, no matter what anybody says."

Added Mourning: "Michael Jordan is entitled to his opinion. We're young players. But he was young too. Michael Jordan is a big asset to this league. He lifted the NBA to another level from a notoriety standpoint. His presence alone makes the game more enjoyable to watch. But he's made mistakes like we have."

Said Derrick Coleman: "That's his opinion."

Mike's not alone: Now this is a guy who knows how to make a comeback.

If anyone asked him, the 76ers' Jeff Malone said he would have announced: "I'm back, also."

But considering he plays for the 76ers, no one did. But Malone, who missed 47 games with heel problems, scored 28 in his return Wednesday, hitting six of his first eight shots for 13 first-quarter points and shot 13 of 26 in 40 minutes.

"I was worried about fatigue, but I kind of surprised myself," said Malone.

Spurring team on: It's hard to imagine Spurs coach Bob Hill wants to prove it, but Hill says watch his team without Dennis Rodman, out a month after a motorcycle accident while riding with a wild bunch that included Spurs assistant Dave Cowens.

"The media has said we've won because of Dennis Rodman," noted Hill of the Spurs' 37-9 record after Rodman's return. "But no one knows the circle of this team but us. It's a pride, a chemistry thing."

Chicagoan Terry Cummings has been starting for Rodman at power forward and has been averaging 10 points and Hill said it's possible Moses Malone could return for the playoffs.

Tough sell: So it wasn't Nellie, after all. It seems good guy interim coach Bob Lanier is having trouble getting any effort from Latrell Sprewell in Golden State. "Write what you saw, you all have eyes," Lanier barked at reporters after the Warriors lost to the 76ers last week. Sprewell was benched in the second half of that game after an equally poor effort the night before in his hometown of Milwaukee, where Sprewell let Todd Day blitz him for 33 and then waved at Jeff Malone's 28 in Philadelphia.

"If you can't get up to play in front of your family and friends, when can you?" wondered Lanier, who has said Sprewell is as tough a player to reach as he's ever encountered.

Backing Buckner: The Mavericks seem excited about word that former coach Quinn Buckner may be the new general manager in Minnesota. Said Jamal Mashburn: "I guess once you play in Boston, you can always get a job." Added forward Terry Davis: "They won't win for a long time. What's the NBA coming to? They don't have any clue what he did last year? They might as well sell the team now."